San Diego Uber drivers can bank an extra $1 per trip if they use an electric vehicle, as the ride-hail company seeks to educate the public on the benefits of the cars, which emit less greenhouse gas.

The pilot program, known as the “EV Champions Initiative,” starts Tuesday in seven cities: San Diego, Austin, Los Angeles, Montreal, Sacramento, San Francisco and Seattle. Incentives are specific to each market with the company testing different benefits around the country.

Locally, drivers can accrue a dollar-per-ride bonus for using plug-in hybrids or full battery electric vehicles, with a max payout of $20 per week. Similar $1-per-ride incentives are being offered in San Francisco and Pittsburgh, though drivers in Los Angeles won’t earn extra for the time being.

“Over the last year, we’ve met with hundreds of drivers across the U.S. and Canada who drive or are interested in driving EV on our network,” said Adam Gromis, Uber’s global head of sustainability. “While they love not paying for gas and being a part of automotive innovation, they also face challenges in losing fare-earning time to charge their vehicles, accessing adequate fast-charging stations in urban areas, and getting affordable access to higher mileage EVs.”

Uber says it will also provide both educational and operational assistance to its EV drivers. For instance, the company expects to break ground in the coming weeks on EV charging stations at its San Diego Greenlight Hub, a driver facility at 7310 Miramar Road. The firm has yet to determine the cost, if any, for drivers to use the charging stations.

The company has also tweaked its smartphone application to alert EV drivers of 30-minute-or-greater trips so they can plan accordingly. And, to raise awareness, the app will notify riders when they’re paired with an EV driver.

Uber’s program aligns with Gov. Jerry Brown’s executive order, issued earlier this year, which calls on the state, currently home to 410,000 EVs, to increase the number of zero-emission vehicles to 5 million by 2030. As it stands, the transportation sector accounts for the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in California, or 37 percent, according to a 2015 report from the California Environmental Protection Agency.

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Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers.

Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers.

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Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers.

Hundreds of San Diego hotel workers marched in downtown San Diego to pressure Marriott hotels to improve pay and working conditions for low wage workers.

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The Supreme Court on Monday struck down a federal law that bars gambling on football, basketball, baseball and other sports in most states, giving states the go-ahead to legalize betting on sports.

The Supreme Court on Monday struck down a federal law that bars gambling on football, basketball, baseball and other sports in most states, giving states the go-ahead to legalize betting on sports.

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Viasat is a global communications company working to connect the unconnected throughout the world. As part of our mission, we're bringing low-cost, high-speed satellite internet to rural towns throughout Mexico. We believe that everyone, everywhere deserves the opportunity to add their voice to the global conversation. (Courtesy of Viasat)

Viasat is a global communications company working to connect the unconnected throughout the world. As part of our mission, we're bringing low-cost, high-speed satellite internet to rural towns throughout Mexico. We believe that everyone, everywhere deserves the opportunity to add their voice to the global conversation. (Courtesy of Viasat)

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San Diego has agreed to sell 16 lots in Nestor for $1 each, in the pursuit of affordable housing. The nonprofit San Diego Community Land Trust plans to build three and four-bedroom homes there for people with moderate incomes. That means a family of five with an income of up to $102,750.

San Diego has agreed to sell 16 lots in Nestor for $1 each, in the pursuit of affordable housing. The nonprofit San Diego Community Land Trust plans to build three and four-bedroom homes there for people with moderate incomes. That means a family of five with an income of up to $102,750.

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Toys R Us still sells about 20% of the toys bought in the U.S., according to an analyst at Jefferies LLC.

Toys R Us still sells about 20% of the toys bought in the U.S., according to an analyst at Jefferies LLC.